York Historic Environment Record

An archaeological excavation and watching brief was carried out in advance of development. A trench 7.5m x 4m in size was excavated by hand. Material relating to four specific periods of occupation dating from the mid second century through to post-medieval building debris and wall footings. Two phases of activity during the Roman period were identified. Period 1 Mid-2nd Century Dumping Three separate deposits were recognised in this period. The earliest was an extensive mixed horizontal spread of silty clay with ceramic building material, burnt red clay lumps and pottery, that was found over the majority of the excavated area. Pottery from two overlying deposits of clay was no later than Hadrianic/ Antonine date. Period 2- Post-dumping Roman features (?later 2nd century) A layer of rounded cobbled was interpreted as possibly having formed part of a street or lane surface that crossed the site on a north-east to south-west alignment. Period 3, dated to the medieval period, was represented by post-holes, three pits and a v-shaped drainage gully. Period 4, a series of deposits which were largely removed by machine dating to the post-medieval and modern periods. The Phase 1 dumped deposits have been interpreted by the excavator as being similar to the material found at the Adams Hydraulics,, Peaseholme Green, St Cuthbert's and Borthwick Institute sites, suggesting the widespread deposition of kiln debris in this area. NMR source: CBA Forum : the annual newsletter of CBA Group 4 Continuation of: Annual newssheet/CBA Group 4. Library has incomplete set. 14-15 /1998